Product Description

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Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent biblical scholar Bruce Waltke, this new volume in the NICOT series is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available today.

Grounded in the new literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation of late, Waltke's commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound and ongoing relevance of this Old Testament Scripture for Christian thought and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as "theological literature." Waltke's highly readable style is evident even in his impeccable translation of the Hebrew text makes his work very accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.

Publisher's Description

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Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke, this two-volume commentary is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available.

Grounded in the new literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation of late, Waltke's commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound, ongoing relevance of this Old Testament book for Christian faith and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as "theological literature." Waltke's highly readable style -- evident even in his original translation of the Hebrew text -- makes his scholarly work accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.

Author Bio

Editorial Reviews

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Concordia Journal "Waltke does a monumental job . . . in resurrecting the Book of Proverbs and wisdom generally to its rightful place in the exegetical and theological heritage of the church."

Bibliotheca Sacra "Perhaps the most significant exegetical work on the Book of Proverbs in the last one hundred years. . . A testimony to [Bruce Waltke's] interpretive insight and skill, and to his vast experience as an educator and preacher."

Criswell Theological Review "If the serious students of Proverbs had to choose only one resource on the book of Proverbs, he would be wise to choose this magnificent commentary by Bruce K. Waltke."

Alan Millard "Where is wisdom to be found? The book of Proverbs is an obvious answer, yet readers often find it a jumble of disconnected sayings, with little theological value. Having thought long and deeply about Proverbs, Bruce Waltke offers a wonderful guide through the book, elucidating many problems and showing how skillfully the work was composed. He explains each verse with care and authority, dealing with details of the Hebrew but giving pride of place to exegesis and exposition. . . Here is a realistic, wise, and godly commentary, better than Keil and Delitzsch for the twenty-first century."

Richard J. Clifford, S.J. "Here is Bruce Waltke's long-awaited full-scale commentary on Proverbs, a biblical book that has generated an unusual amount of interest in recent years. . . Waltke's learned and wide-ranging commentary reminds us why his judgments are valued and taken seriously by lay readers and scholars alike: his work displays a mastery of Biblical Hebrew, a deep knowledge of ancient Near Eastern literature, a serious interchange with others, and an admirable devotion to Proverbs as the word of God to the church."

Walter C. Kaiser Jr. "Bruce Waltke's Book of Proverbs is destined to become the outstanding commentary on this book of the Bible. . . For all who are bored with the apparent 'stuffiness' of religion and theology, the analysis of life and living as taught here will restore a good dose of realism all over again."

Raymond C. Van Leeuwen "Waltke brings to bear a lifetime of learning and expertise as a world authority on Hebrew grammar. His theological approach is conservative evangelical and intended to serve the Christian pulpit and laity."

Interpretation "The best overall commentary on Proverbs available at this time. Its two volumes greatly enrich our understanding of an important biblical book."

Catholic Biblical Quarterly "Will provide much material for the ongoing discussion and debate about Proverbs. . . . A rich resource for study."

Crux "Waltke's desire that the commentary would serve both the church and the academy is clear. It is written in a manner commensurate with the author's own skill and piety. It is at once pious and penetrating, devotional and demanding, sacred and scholarly."

Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly "This commentary is highly recommended as a resource for the study of the Hebrew text. It is an excellent tool for helping pastors get into this difficult and often neglected book of the Bible."

Westminster Theological Journal "A monumental achievement that will serve as a learned and faithful guide for any serious student of Proverbs."

New Horizons "An excellent resource for studying the book of Proverbs. . . . This commentary should be on the shelf of pastors and anyone else planning to study Proverbs. . . . It contains a wealth of valuable information."

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society "A tremendous contribution to the NICOT series. . . . Waltke's work is indeed a wise investment for all who are seeking godly wisdom. Any student of Proverbs (whether serious layperson, pastor, or scholar) will want to consult this masterful work."

Waltkes book contains a strong, helpful introduction that includes 70 pages devoted to the theology of The Book of Proverbs! The bibliography is extensive. The size of the commentary and the scholarship of its author allow for a much more in depth treatment than is usually available. The main text is written with pastors and students in mind. Waltke does interact fairly extensively with the Hebrew text, which has the advantage of providing many insights that might otherwise be overlooked. Of course, this also requires greater effort on the part of the reader at times. But the rewards seem well worth the effort. Thankfully, the most technical material is usually presented in the footnotes. Those who are interested in a light, simple, or popular treatment will want to look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a solid, detailed, in-depth commentary on the Book of Proverbs, this is it.